The Dance

Illumination comes only From the far side of the room, A faintest glint of yellow Amidst the blackness and the gloom. No thoughts or feeling left Except anticipation so pure; Let the music play— Whilst they stand now, Dance, they shall, soon. His touch on her, a delicate caress Upon her skin; Cradled, she is, gently Like a fragile figurine. And as she lay her head upon his chest, He held her close; The circle closed by their embrace Became, to them, the world. The first of many notes play on, A song from long ago, A lullabye of broken promises And bitter loss; So soft, and yet it scratched the scabs Of wounded memories, And flared the pain of hurts She most not want to reminisce. He raised her face, to his surprise, Tears welled from her eyes; The most sincere and honest gesture In a place of feigns and lies. Should he, could he comfort her? —no, she pushed away, Mumbled an excuse, as if ashamed, And left in haste. A mystery of life, up to this day, He can’t digress, How he found admiration —attraction?— in that moment of her weakness. Is it compassion? Is it pity? Is it love that’s doomed to fail? ‘Cause if it is, oh, the consequences it entails. It’s closing time, last call for Goodnight kiss before they part; Tomorrow comes to sell love To another’s waiting arms. So in a day or two, what’s been today Won’t ever matter, For when the music stops Then the dance is truly over.